Susan Kelly
Susan N. Kelly died suddenly February 22, 2021 in St Louis, Missouri.
Born April 7, 1948, in Hartford, Connecticut to parents John Patrick Kelly and Noreen Grace Merrill.
Sibling to first-born Jerry, who was her Irish Twin, and then along came sister Shirley three + years later. The trio was complete and they relished in many adventures together, mostly outdoors because that’s where kids spent their time in the 1950’s. Susan was a natural leader and creative director organizing the neighborhood kids in role-playing games, kickball, freeze tag, hide and seek, talent shows, and plays for which she wrote the scripts. She was a protective big sister and let Shirley hang out with her and her friends all the time (lucky for Shirley who got to do a lot because Sue was the chaperon…oh, Mom), and then became great friends with Shirley’s pals.
Her love of children carried over to adult life where she was a loyal, enthusiastic aunt to Allison and Meghan. She was at every important life event, ever so the cheerleader and admirer of their achievements. She knew how to celebrate a person! They described her as their biggest fan, witty, bighearted, encouraging, cool, artsy, and uniquely stylish, and made no apologies. She was a champion of the underdog perhaps because she felt like she was one of them. She was comfortable with herself and preferred living alone.
A flower child at heart, she embraced the attitudes of the ’60s, actively protesting the Vietnam War, and was so relieved to have Jerry return from the war, wounded but alive. Of course, she went to Woodstock, and guess what? Shirley got to go too! She searched for a place to settle down: San Francisco, Hawaii, Colorado, Texas, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and finally moved to St. Louis because that was where the family was and isn’t that what it’s all about?
Susan was a graduate of South Catholic High School in Hartford. The jobs she held reflected her talent in customer service and attention to detail: nanny, telephone operator, photographer, hotel clerk, hotel administrative assistant, service specialist and security officer. She was extremely artistic yet her hopes of attending art school were never met.
Her given name was Susan, but she had many names in her life: Sue, Susie, Suzi, Suz and insisted she be called Suzanne, allowing only a chosen few to divert.
Personable and chatty with sarcastic wit, generous gift giver, Monday Movie nights, American Bandstand dance moves, Beatlemania (John), trips to Misquamacut in her MG, concerts galore, cross country in her Fiat, jeans and jackets adorned with patches and embroidery, tee shirt collection, big earrings and rings, great laugh, Rocky Horror birthday party for brother-in-law Darrell (where she stayed in character the entire night), the best maker of Christmas bows, gravy, and mashed potatoes (try making that gravy without her added two cents), chairperson of the “smoking porch” of which you were honored to be invited, a fierce debater (? arguer?), a competitive game player (don’t mess with the rules!), crossword puzzle queen, jigsaw puzzle wizard, generous auction participator, Jeopardy fan, and a strong disliker (or dissenter?) of “produce” in her water, sometimes one would have to duck as she tossed the offending fruit/lemon.
Sue was extremely proud of her Irish heritage and being part of the Kelly Clan. She adored the Merrill’s side of the family and participated in many reunions. Suzanne was Maid of Honor for Shirley and Godmother to Allison. In recent years, she was able to spend more time with her mother, relocated from Sun City Center Florida, and they enjoyed watching the various baking shows and dance contests, playing cards and games, and doing crossword puzzles together.
She was a valuable employee and a dedicated worker. Of note, 17 years at Holiday Inn Select- Downtown Convention Center in St Louis where she was awarded employee of the month, spirit, and safety awards several times. She retired in 2016 from AmerenMO after 8 years as a security officer with Securitas Corp.
She was preceded in death by her father, John Patrick Kelly (1971), brother Gerald John Kelly (1973), and step-father Lawrence Elliott (2005).
Survived by and will be greatly missed by her mother, Noreen Merrill Elliott, sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Darrell Carroll of Brooklyn, Ohio (formerly of St. Louis, MO), nieces: Allison Kelly Norris of Lakewood, Ohio, Meghan Kelly Carroll (Andrej Cuturic) of Englewood Florida; great-nephew Griffin Carroll Norris, great-nieces Paisley Adams Norris and Briar Kelly Norris of Lakewood, Ohio; many cousins and friends.
No formal arrangements will be made. Please share your stories, great memories, and love here or directly to the family. Peace.
Love you and miss you, Aunt Suzi ❤️ (I was allowed to call her that!)
Sue so glad I got to meet you and have our talks didn’t know you long enough but I feel we new each other for a long time my friend. I will hold you in my heart forever God bless I will see you on the other side and then we can continue our talks love you, Chas Marfisi
Spending time with Suzanne was always an event, introducing me to places and life styles I never knew existed, oh the, memories! I still wonder how we made it home in one piece, from the laughter or stories we told to clean it up. Damn those were the good time!
Fly high my friend, I shall always cherish you letting me into your circle, those were awesome times.
I actually knew her as Suzann. The few times we were together we had a lot of laughs. She had a great sense of humor and spirit. I know she will be missed. ❤️
Spending time with Suzanne was always an event, introducing me to places and life styles I never knew existed, oh the memories! I still wonder how we made it home in one piece, from the laughter or stories we told to clean it up. Damn those were the good time!
Fly high my friend, I shall always cherish you letting me into your circle, those were awesome times.
Sue….I haven’t seen her for over 50 years. Back then I admired her as the first flower child/hippie I knew. I also can attest to how wonderful she made a little freshman girl feel. I am sorry for the family’s loss and may her spirit surround them always. This obit was the loveliest I have ever read. Blessings,
She was a great person I always enjoyed her spirit !
Cheryl and I got to know her during our many years in Missouri. She was part of our family and we will miss her.
Marc and I have always considered Sue as a part of our extended family. She always had a smile and a wonderful sense of humor, self, and generosity. She was a wonderful sister, sisters-in-law, and aunt (pronounced “Awnt” by the east coasters! I will miss her, our smoking porch, and many family gatherings and warm memories. Love to you up there Sue! Say hi to my Dad!
Shirley that was a great eulogy about your sister. You both look so much alike. I’m so sorry for your loss. Hold on to the beautiful memories you have about your time together.. I’ll be praying for you and your family as you grieve for your sister.
Sarcastic, witty, and “don’t mess with the rules!” … my kind of lady. ♥ 🙂
Sending lots of love to Noreen, the Carroll Clan, and all. Our deepest condolences. We love you all.
Very warmly,
Tim and the Chicago Loves
Sue was definitely one of a kind! Many good memories of time spent with her at your various homes in STL. Hugs to all of you.
What a way to fully live and fully love. Suzanne had a spirit that made you smile. What a lovely woman!! You only realize in hindsight of growing up, how very special some people see. Suzanne is one of those????
This picture is somehow how I remember her most of all. And then of course the short hair due that came as she grew older.
She was definitely her own person, she knew what she wanted to do, and wasn’t afraid to venture offand do it. I give her that. Something I could never do.
I remember the fun times meeting at Aunt Noreen’s and having fun with the crew.
She was certainly her own person , something I admired about her.
Shirley you hit the nail on the head with her description, could not have done it better.
I can see her smiling face now as I write this.
She will be missed, although a loner she was , but did attend our family reunion and we all had a blast.
I still see her in her jeans, her patched jacket, her cloth pocket book, probably one she made.
Like I said her own person. Didn’t care what anyone thought the way she dressed so different, definitely from the Woodstock days.
She will be sorely missed, although the Merrill cousins don’t get together quite often , we are a close knit clan that will always be. Something most don’t have. We have been fortunate indeed to have such a close knit family wheather near or far we were always tight.
My condolences to the entire family. Sue will be missed, but she now joins her father and her brother of whom she loved.
So now we go fourth with yet another memory, as we lost the oldest cousin what, a week and half ago. Richard Leighton
So I say live today as if it were your last, as we all are climbing that ladder as we are not the children we once were. But yet I can’t help but still think of us as all the same as we once were
God bless you Suzanne. I think you found your ☮️ peace. Love you always. Jackie
Shirley, what a beautiful tribute to Susan! I’m sure she would feel honored by your loving memory. My prayers are with you an your mom at this difficult time, and may Susan rest in peace.
Claudia
What a great slideshow! I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. xoxo
One of my favorite memories of Suzanne was when we had a “glamor shot” photo shoot for Allison’s birthday or maybe it was just a sleepover. Suzanne helped all of us with our makeup and our over-the-top hair-dos. She made us feel every bit of the glamorous girls we wanted to be! She clearly loved being an aunt and made her nieces’ friends feel that love too!
Wish I had the opportunity to of meet you! Rest In Peace sending lots of hugs, love and prayers to the family.
What an amazing tribute to your sister, Shirley! The photos were such a beautiful peak into your childhood together. That sister bond is deep and you and Darrell were always there for her. Kloud and I are so sorry for your loss.
Such a wonderful tribute to her life, thank you for putting into words her legacy. Didn’t realize all the adventures she had gone on (and you too) but the description of her life was perfect. Continuing to pray for her and your family and friends, we’ll all feel her loss for sure.